BPN562: AC Energy Scavenging for Smart Grid Sensing

Project ID

BPN562

Website

Start Date

Thu 2010-Feb-04 10:39:45

Last Updated

Wed 2014-Aug-13 10:44:15

Abstract

The goal of this project is to devise small, inexpensive modules for indoor or outdoor
deployment that sense electrical variables on, and scavenge energy from, energized conductors such
as appliance cords and the conductors on high-voltage power transmission lines and equipment. In
addition to an energy scavenging element, the modules will contain sensors, their associated
signal conditioning circuitry, power conditioning and storage elements, and a wireless radio and
antenna. We have recently demonstrated the ability to scavenge 2mW from a nearby conductor
carrying 20 Arms, which is 10-100x more than can be extracted using comparable coil-based
approaches.